Their children are blessed with the privilege of attending fine schools and with the right to learn about this wonderful world, side by side with the sons and daughters of our most successful and wisest people. Among these newer-comers to America are the Italians, many of whom will never again see their own country, of which they are still so justly proud. They will tell you it is a land of wonderful beauty; that it has sunsets so glorious that both artists and poets try to picture them for us again and again; that its history is that of a strong and mighty people who once held rule over all the civilized world; that thousands of travellers visit its shores every year to look upon its paintings and its statues, for it may truly be called the art treasure-house of the world. When you meet your little Italian cousins, with their big brown eyes and olive skins, whether it be in school or on the street, perhaps you will feel a little nearer and more friendly if you turn your attention for a while to their home, and the home of the brave and wise Columbus who left it that he might find for you in the far West your own loved country, your great, grand, free America. Contents PAGE I. TESSA 9 II. ROME 18 III. THE STORY OF ÆNEAS 38 IV. CHRISTMAS 52 V. SAINT PETER'S 64 VI. THE CHRISTENING 75 VII. THE TWINS 86 VIII. THE CARNIVAL 101 IX. THE BURIED CITY 115 List of Illustrations PAGE TESSA _Frontispiece_ "BEPPO WALKED BY HER SIDE" 19 IN THE PALACE GARDEN 33 IN ST. PETER'S 64 "WERE SOON IN THE MIDST OF A MERRY CROWD" 106 "IT WAS A STRANGE PLACE" 122 TESSA Our Little Italian Cousin CHAPTER I. TESSA "THERE comes babbo! There comes babbo!" cried Tessa, as she ran down the narrow street to meet her father, with baby Francesca toddling after her. The man was not alone,--Beppo and the donkey were with him. They were very tired, for it was a hard trip from the little village on the hilltop to the great city, miles away, and back again. The donkey was not of much help on the homeward journey, either. Poor little patient beast! he was getting old now, and he felt that his day's work was done when he had carried a load of nuts and vegetables to Rome in the morning. But when he had to bring Beppo back again, he felt a little bit sulky. So it was no wonder that he stood quite still every few minutes and did not seem to hear his little master scold.